The government told Parliament that nearly ₹550 crore has been spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits since 2021, with ₹74.58 crore incurred so far in 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said expenditure stood at over ₹180 crore in 2025, ₹109 crore in 2024, ₹93 crore in 2023, ₹55 crore in 2022, and ₹36 crore in 2021. The highest spending this year was ₹17.46 crore for the Norway leg of Modi's five-nation May tour. The ministry added that several 2026 figures remain provisional and highlighted that India received USD 381.8 billion in FDI between April 2021 and December 2025. (PC: Wallpapers Den)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over phone to discuss the ongoing West Asia conflict, regional developments and the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across defence, trade, investment, space, energy, cybersecurity and critical technologies. They also discussed strengthening collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, agriculture, water management, fintech and biotechnology. Both leaders supported deeper people-to-people ties and called for an early conclusion of the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, while agreeing to remain in regular contact on regional security and strategic issues.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon successfully completed his first 6.5-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), marking a major milestone in his space career. Working alongside veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, Menon helped upgrade the station's power infrastructure in preparation for installing next-generation International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA). The mission was the first of three planned NASA spacewalks this month aimed at improving the ISS's long-term operational capabilities. Throughout the extravehicular activity, astronauts followed strict safety procedures while carrying out critical maintenance tasks that will support future scientific research and space exploration missions. (PC: Reuters)

An Indian fishing trawler carrying 11 fishermen met with an accident after reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line into Sri Lankan waters near Neduntheevu (Delft) Island in the Palk Strait. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the vessel allegedly engaged in illegal bottom trawling before running aground on a reef, sustaining partial structural damage. The Navy launched a rescue operation, confirming all 11 fishermen were safe and not in immediate danger. Legal proceedings are underway. The incident underscores the continuing maritime and fishing disputes between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait. (PC: The Hindu)

India has stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure the return of the 11th-century Goddess Vagdevi idol from the British Museum in London. The Madhya Pradesh government requested the Centre to seek the idol's repatriation, and the Union Culture Ministry has been pursuing the matter through diplomatic and institutional channels. The issue is expected to feature prominently during the BRICS Culture Working Group and Culture Ministers' meetings in Bhopal. The white-marble idol, linked to Dhar's Bhojshala, was acquired by the British Museum in 1909. India is also pushing for stronger international cooperation to recover cultural artefacts removed during the colonial period. (PC: NDTV)

Sripathi Deepa, a 42-year-old software professional from Hyderabad, died in a road accident in New Jersey while dropping her husband, Ramakrishna Reddy, at a metro station. The couple had been living in the US since 2008 and have 2 children. Police said another vehicle allegedly rammed into Deepa's car, and the other driver has been taken into custody. Originally from Telangana's Rangareddy district, Deepa was scheduled to return to India in just 2 days. Her sudden death has left her family and friends in deep shock. (PC: NDTV)

The number of US student visas issued to Indian applicants dropped sharply in 2025, according to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The report found that only 22,149 F-1 visas were issued to Indians between May and August 2025, down 62% from the same period in 2024. Chinese student visas also declined, though less steeply. Despite the drop, Indian and Chinese students remain the largest international student groups in US universities, accounting for 53% of all foreign enrolments in 2024-25. The report warns that fewer student visas could reduce international enrolment and shrink the pipeline of skilled graduates entering the US workforce through the Optional Practical Training programme. (PC: ANI)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "India has always been a great friend and will remain so," during a virtual press conference from Delhi. She said the friendship between India and Bangladesh would stay strong despite recent political developments. Hasina has been living in India since August 2024 under full security after leaving Bangladesh. She also repeated her wish to return to her country. Ahead of the event, India's Ministry of External Affairs said the government had no role in the press conference and did not endorse any views expressed there. Bangladesh has raised concerns over her political activities from India.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh despite saying she could face arrest or imprisonment, declaring that "fear can't decide my duty." Speaking publicly for the first time since her 2024 ouster in a virtual address from New Delhi, Hasina alleged the July-August 2024 uprising was a "planned regime change" rather than a genuine student-led movement. She claimed the protests were orchestrated to remove her government outside the democratic process. The address came despite objections from Dhaka, while India reiterated that the event was organised by a private entity and did not reflect the Indian government's views or involvement. (PC: Reuters)

The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy Indian Navy assets to protect Indian merchant vessels operating in high-risk maritime zones after an India-flagged cargo ship was attacked in the Red Sea. The appeal follows the sinking of MSV Faize Noore Oliya 14 near Yemen's western coast after it was struck by a projectile. All 14 crew members, including 13 Indian seafarers, were rescued. Citing escalating missile, drone and maritime attacks in the Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea, the union urged immediate naval protection, warning that Indian merchant mariners remain increasingly vulnerable amid widening regional conflicts. (PC: iStock)